To strip it you'll need a spent cartridge. Pull the side back and drop the cartridge between the front of the pistol and the gap you've just opened - the open end of the shell slips onto the exposed rod. Now release the slide forward and pull up on that little piece with the finger grips on it about an inch behind the front sight. Now you can pull the slide back and off the receiver - beware that the spring is still under pressure and can fly off and nail you.

My S&W was my first pistol and I love it. It goes bang everytime I squeeze the trigger, is accurate enough, and I don't recall it ever jamming in 15 years of use. I do have to scrape the bolt face clean every few hundred rounds to keep it going.

While not a match pistol, they work.Keep an eye on the sideplate screws, they have a knack for working loose.Nice little plinker, overall.I think the longer 10 (they made some 12) round mags will fit, just stick out a bit.Yes, like Paul sez, get the manual.

We have three of the full size versions in our college pistol club. They have been nothing but a headache. The little take down piece breaks with some regularity and they are getting hard to find. We've got two guns laid up waiting for parts. Reliability is hit or miss. Accuracy acceptable. Mag release on the front strap is just plain wierd.

Smith has tried variations of this design for several decades. The Escort from around 1960 is basically the same gun. If memory serves they had a version back in the 30's chambered in 32 acp. They need to give up on it.